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A tragic accident occurred on Route 44/55 in Gardiner, when a large tree fell onto a moving pickup truck, resulting in the death of a 77-year-old woman and injuries to a 79-year-old man. The incident took place around 12:45 p.m. on Friday (October 31). According to the Ulster County Sheriff's Office, the tree crushed the cab of the 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 as it traveled eastbound on the highway.
The woman, a resident of Gardiner, was pronounced dead at the scene, while the man, also from Gardiner, was treated by emergency medical services before being transported to Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital in Poughkeepsie for potentially serious injuries. The identities of the victims have not been released, pending notification of their families.
The accident prompted a temporary road closure between Mele Lane and Heidi Lane. The sheriff's office received assistance from several agencies, including the New York State Police, Gardiner Fire Department, New Paltz Rescue Squad, Central Hudson, and the New York State Department of Transportation.
The Poughkeepsie Journal and NEWS10 ABC reported on the incident, highlighting the severity of the accident and the response from local authorities.